-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Staffers at a federal prison in central Florida fired shots to break up a large-scale fight that sent eight inmates to hospital emergency rooms Sunday afternoon , officials said .

Eight inmates were injured Sunday in a fight at Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Florida , officials said .

Authorities did not say what led to the fight at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County .

A statement from the prison said one inmate suffered a gunshot wound , but did not say whether the person was struck by a prison staff member 's bullet .

The other seven were `` stabbing/shooting victims , '' said a spokesman for Orlando Regional Medical Center , where the inmates were taken . The hospital did not elaborate .

No prison staffers were seriously hurt in the incident , which the FBI is investigating , said Charles Ratledge , spokesman for the prison .

The fight broke out in the recreation yard of the United States Penitentiary No. 2 , a high-security facility , about 2:20 p.m. .

The Coleman complex consists of four institutions . The other three facilities -- another U.S. penitentiary , a medium-security and a low-security facility -- were not affected , said Bureau of Prison spokeswoman Traci Billingsley .

`` The inmates ignored staff orders to stop their assaultive behavior , and shots were fired by institution staff to prevent possible loss of life , '' Ratledge said .

Five medical evacuation helicopters -- three from the hospital -- landed at the prison and transported the injured inmates on the 15 - to 20-minute flight to Orlando Regional , hospital spokesman Joe Brown said .

The prison complex is in near Coleman in Sumter County , about 50 miles northwest of Orlando , Florida .

The community was never endangered by the fight , U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman Laura Sweeney said .

CNN 's Nick Valencia , Susan Candiotti and Terry Frieden contributed to this report .

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NEW : Staffers had to fire shots to break up large-scale fight , officials say

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Eight inmates wounded , one by gunshot , at prison complex in Florida , officials say

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Officials : Fight happened at Coleman Federal Correctional Complex 's recreation yard

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No staff members were hurt during the brawl , spokeswoman says